19-nordesoxycorticosterone



Feb 7 1950 M. R. EHRENSTEIN 19-NoRDEsoxYcoRTIcosTERoNE original Filed March 24, 3.945

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Patented Fel). 7, 195() 19 NORDE SGXYCOR'E-IGSTERQNE Maximilian R. Ehrenstein, Philadelphia, Pa.; ase` signor to The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa., acorporation off-Pennsylvania Original application March 24, 1945Seria1`No`.- 584,624. Divided and this application"I`eb1ua.ryl

15 1946, Serial N0.'647,970

1 claim. (o1. 26o-9,397.4)

This invention relates to certain new chemical compounds believed variously to have physiological activity and `variously -to have 'value as intermediates and'methodior theirproduction.

`More specicallyfthe -new chemical compounds contemplated by thislinvention will include Athe new 'compound -10no111desoxycorticosterone Aacetate and various intermediates, which are vproduced in the vcourse oifiitspreparation by the method accordingto this' invention.

The new compound, 10-nor-1l-desoxycorticoscterone acetate, has ilbeeniound to have-physiological -activity. The various other lnew compounds and intermediates formed in the course y of .preparationthereo'f and of 10-nor-ll'desoxy corticosterone acetate and t'he corresponding v alcohol vwill find rutilityas intermediates and will have `physiological-activity.

The particular structure of the newwcompound, 10-nor-1l-fdesoXycorticosterone acetate, and 'the stnucture of Ithe novelf compounds `comprising 1 intermediates :formed inthe` preparation of 'imno-rlledesoxycorticosterone acetate, and the-:procedure according -to1 the methodfof f this invention is illustrated infthe scheme showndn -the accompanying drawing, :with )reference to which y:the nature of v`the several novel icompounds r'and 'the details ofthe method will VThe described.

In: the scheme: 'The formulaeil-lustrate 'the structures oilllnoiprogesterone andwof the severalfintermediates formed `in the course i of its Apreparation :and ithe i several 'steps-of l'the methodiaccordingi to :this .in-

vention are broadly? indicated.

In "the V'scheine Vthe starting ^material i or compound isiindicated at A. Thisfmaterial, asaturated dicarboxylic acid 1having .the r.Formula (estrane-'g -diol 10,1'7 dicanboxylic acid) has heretofore 'been prepared .fand :described, for examplelby' Butenandt and Gallagher, Ber, I7-2, p. 1866 (1939); Chem. Alostr. 34,;ipn'l7f3 (A1940).

Proceeding now according to the method ofthis invention, as vindicated in vthe scheme, I'the compound B is formeddoy acylation of the starting `compound A to protect the lhydroxy-1.groupat .carhon-atom'. The acylation ,of the compound .-A is, for example, effected foy :treatment .with an acid anhydridefasfor example, acetic anhydride, proponic anhydride, or. other'` suitable `anhydride LAwhich will protect the hydroxyl x group atA carbon .atom 3. l

As exempliiyingfthe procedure'lfor acylationof the compound A, using-a'cetic'anhydride asolution of 0.450 g. `of .recryst'fallizedl estrane'3i,5diol A10,l'l-dicanlzvoxylic acid-.m45 cc. of acetic anhy- 30 minutes, after which .4.5 cc. of .glacial acetic .acid and-2.7 cc. ofwaterfare-.addedto-.decompose CII ` Ianhydrides Aandthe :solution then heated :on a

water hath for aboutonefhour. fOn completion of the heating the solvent is :removed in vacuo '(5090) and-the sirupylresidueztalieniupin ether and the solution .extracted twice with ice cold 'oli-lute sodium carbonate. The. combined-extracts are `acidii'ied by adding Without delay 'ice cold vdilute hydrochloric acidnwhich will causewa'white v'locculenti precipitate to appear. lis-thcn e-xtractedfthreetimes with other arld the Ycorrzdoine'd ether vextracts :washed vseveral :times with small quantities. of water.

The suspension Aiterdryingand filtering, evaporation of the etheryields a product,

usually obtained; as .ay foamy; colorlessglass. 4,This product, which comprises .the compound B, .is fthen, for analysis,.dried -.at;1.85 C. underr slight vacuum in order to avoid possible decomposition and analyzes as follows:

Calculated for '0221113207 (monoacetate): 1C, 64.66; 1H,'7'.90. Found: "C, ,64.20; H, 7.36.

Proceeding now from the compound B Vto rthe compound C, which, 4for' example, may `loe B- acet- Yoxyi0-noretiocholenic acid f (3-a'cetoxyestrene- 17-carlooxylicv acid) ,the compound@ is subjected to heating in Ia high vacuumxto effectdehydra- Ation and :decanboxylation of the .compound B. Preferably the compound B will ibe sulojected'to distillation in a high vacuum.

As eXempliiyingf-the .proceduredor the preparation of compound C iromfthe compound B, .where the compoundf-Bis'for example, an acetate, 0.5.90

g. of the crudecompound BLis transferred into.:a high vacuum retort `by 1meansof ether. After careful removal oftthef solvent, a, foa'myglasswremains, which, on gentleheating in a high vacuum to a temperatureof liiD-,120" C., is almost completely liqueed or sintere'd. Thefmaterialthus obtained, essentially rfree kfrom fsolvent, ,is :subjcctefd to .distillationin a-highxvacuum. lIrrefectingthe distillation ,the temperatureys raised fairly quickly to ahoutlBOo` C.\.where-gas evolution willloe Iobserved. Sulbsequentlmthe temperaturey is .raised slowly, say l Within, a period off about one-hour, to.25GC. and 'then quicklyraised to about 290 C. and:the :distillation,thereafter interrupted` The distillate, :usuallyfa slightly yellow, .brittle glass, ,is subjected to .anothergdistillation under :practically identical. conditions, V,it

.being noted thatinfthe redistillationgthere isi'no notable gas evolution. The productiusuallyfisa slightly yellow, prittleglass and gives a strong positive -reaction :with .ztetranitromethane #Analthe double bond has been indicated in the 5, 6 position, though it'may be in the 5, 10 position, or in the 4, position, or the product may be a mixture of any two or all of these isomers hereinafter indicated by reference to and/or isomers. However, no attempt was made to separate these isomers. v

Proceeding now for the preparation of the compound D, which, for example, may be B-acetoxy-l-noretiocholenic acid chloride (3- acetoxyestrene 1'7 carboxylic acid chloride) and/or isomers, the compound C is directly transformed into the corresponding acid chloride and/or isomers by means of, for example, thionyl chloride, phosphorous oxychloride or phosphorous pentachloride. It will be understood that the compound D may be prepared as an acid bromide by using an equivalent bromide in place of the aforementioned chloride.

As exemplifying the procedure for the preparation of the compound D from the compound C, a puriiled, colorless thionyl chloride is prepared, for example, by distilling pure commercial thionyl chloride (Eastman), of a slightly yellow color, over quinoline and then over linseed oil. To 200 mg. of the compound C, and/or isomers, is added in a cold room 1.0 cc. of the purified thionyl chloride. The mixture is allowed to stand under anhydrous conditions in the cold room (about 2 C.) for a period of about 50 minutes and then at room temperature (20 C.) for about 3% hours, which usually results in the formation of an olive green solution. The solution thus formed is brought to dryness in vacuo (40 C.) under anhydrous conditions. The residue is then dried overnight in a vacuum desiccator (P2O5,KOH).

The acid chloride, or the bromide, thus prepared serves for the production of the compound E, as, for example, 3acetoxyl-norpregnene- 20one and/or isomers.

The compound D, or related compounds indicated above, and/or isomers, is of value not only as an intermediate for the preparation of the novel compound -nor-11-desoxycorticosterone acetate according to the method of this invention, but likewise is useful for the preparation of the novel compound 10-norprogesterone, and which novel compound, together with various intermediates useful for its preparation and method for the preparation thereof, forms the subject-matter of an application for patent filed by me Serial No. 584,624, filed March 24, 1945, now abandoned.

Proceeding now for the preparation of the compound E, or of the related compounds indicated above and/or isomers, in particular 3-acetoxy21diazo10 norpregnene 20-one, and/or isomers, the compound D, or related compounds indicated above and/or isomers, is subjected to treatment with diazomethane.

As exemplifying the procedure for the preparation of the compound E from the compound D, a solution of diazomethane in ether is prepared from 5.15 g. of nitrosomethylurea dried over pellets of pure potassium hydroxide and redistilled under anhydrous conditions. To 45 cc. of this solution, at a temperature of 5 C., is then added 5 cc. of an ethereal solution of the acid chloride (compound D), as obtained from 0.39 g. of the compound C (and/or isomers) as described above. The mixture, usually of a golden-yellow color, is allowed to stand in a cold room (about +2 C.) for about 7 hours, and then at room temperature (say,` 30-33. C.) for about two days. Thereafter the mixture is concentrated to about one-third of its volume on a water bath, filtered and brought to dryness in vacuo and then further dried in a vacuum desiccator overnight. The product, compound E, and/or isomers, is usually an amber colored, viscous material.

For the preparation now of the compound F, 21-diazo 10-no1pregnene 20-one-3-ol, and/or isomers, the compound E is subjected to hydrolysis on the alkaline side.

As exemplifying procedure for the preparation of the compound F from the compound E, to a solution of .52 g. of the compound E, as prepared above, in 29 cc. of methanol, is added a solution of 0.25 g. of potassium hydroxide in 0.3 cc. of water and 5 cc. of methanol, and the mixture .allowed to stand at room temperature (say, 32 C.) for about six hours. Then 0.53 g. of potassium bicarbonate dissolved in 20 cc. of water is added to the solution and the solution then concentrated to a volume of 20 cc. in vacuo (say. 45 C.). The concentrated solution is then extracted three times with ample quantities of ether, and the combined ether extracts are washed three times with water, dried with sodium sulfate, filtered, and brought to dryness. The residue comprising compound F is usually an amber colored foamy glass amounting to about 0.42 g.

The compound G, 21-diazo-10-norprogesterone (21 diazo 10nor 4 pregnene3,20dione), is formed from the compound F by subjecting the compound F to dehydrogenation.

As exemplifying the procedure for the formation of the compound G from the compound F, a solution of 0.85 g. of aluminum tert.butoxide (Eastman) in 35 cc. of dry benzene is separated by decantation from a trace of undissolved material. To this solution is added a solution of 0.33 g. of compound F in l0 cc. of dry acetone. The mixture is reiiuxed under anhydrous conditions on a water bath for a period of ten hours during which time another 2 cc. of dry acetone is added. The mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature overnight and then a relatively large amount of redistilled ether is added and the mixture washed twice with a saturated solution of potassium sodium tartrate, twice with a dilute solution of sodium carbonate, and three times with water. After drying with sodium sulfate and ltering, the solvent is removed in vacuo (about 45 C.). The residue, usually an amber colored viscous resin, comprises the compound G in amount of about 0.35 g.

The compound H, 10-nor-11desoxycorticos terone acetate, is formed from the compound G.

As exemplifying the procedure for thev forma` tion of the compound H from the compound G, 0.35 g. of 21-diazo-10-norprogesterone is dissolved in 5 ce. of anhydrous glacial acetic acid. The solution is heated at about C. for about 15 minutes, then, during 15 more minutes, the temperature is raised to about -125 C. where it is kept for 5 minutes. Thereafter the acetic acid is removed in vacuo (about50 C.) and the residue obtained is taken up in a large amount of ether and the solution ltered. The ether phase is washed with a solution of N sodium bicarbonate and three times with water. Then, after drying with sodium sulfate and filtering, the ether is removed in vacuo. The residue, amounting to about 0.27 g., is usually a light brown resin and comprising the crude compound H, is puriecl by chromatographic adsorptions. 1

the chromatographic adsorption ,of the crude. material. 0.27 1g. of 4the-material :isA dissolved in20v cc. :of benzene and. .10 cc. of petroleum ether andthe #solution filtered .through ya column .of :11 g.\.of aluminum oxide--aluminumvoxide anhydrous, standardized for chromatographic adsorption .according to v-Brockmann, Merck, Darmstadt). The `original solutionis passed through within two vhours .and the 4following compound the fractions 1 and 2 labove combned (56.0 mg.) vare subjected torechromatographic adsorptionin solution in a mixture ,of cc.-.of fbenzene and 20 cc. of petroleum ether. Theso1ution'is,-ltered .through a colum of .3 g. .of .aluminumroxide (Brockmann), the original solutionvbeing Y.passed lthrough within about one hour .and the following eluates within 15 to 2O minutes reach, rrwith the .following results:

.chromatographic fractionation .I I

. Weight of No. of .i .i f f .Appearance of Fraction solvent Regue' Residue 1 15 cc. benzene-F20 lcc.petr. yether 13:4 colorless oil.

' (original solution) .2 :5.cc...benzene+15 cc..petr. ether -9. 6v Do.

cc. benzene-H0 cc. petr. ether 4 9 colorless grease. 7:5 cc. benzenel75 cc. petr. ether. 3:2 ADo. 0 2.5 Do. `\cc.`fbenzene-le5"cc.1petr. ether 2.8 colorless'resin 12 cc. benzenei-cc. petr. ether 2. 7 Do. 114fcc. benzeneel-l'cc. petr. ether 1.6' Do. cc. benzene O. 9 Do. do 0. 8 colorless residue.

10 cc. benzene 5 cc ether 1.1 -Do. 30 cc. ether 4.3 slightly yellow oil. 12 cc. ether-H5 cc. methanol 1. 8 whitish-resin. 16 cc` methanol 454 Whitish yellow residue.

Total 54. 0

Further 'fractions 7-1'2 of "the 'rst Achromatogram combined (54.3 mg.) :are .subjected to reeluates within and 30 minutes each. The chromatographic fractionation is as follows:

chromatographic fractionation I Weight of No. of Appearance of Fraction Solvent Regue Residue 1 20 cc. benzene-H0 cc. petr. ether n 21. 4 slightly yellow oil.

(original solution) f 2 12,0,cc..benzenei.10.cc. petnethen-. 3.4.6, :yellow oil.

3.. 25cc.benzene+`5 cc. petr. ether- 23.6k slightly yellow resin.

5 30 cc. benzene :8..5 Do.

6 o 7 Do.

7 25 cc. benzene-145 eclether.-. 23. 71 `yellow resin.y

8-- 20 cc. benzene-H0 cc. ether-. v18.3,y Do.

9-. 15 cc benzene-H5 cc ether `8.5 Do.

10. 10 cc benzene-P20 cc ether. 2.0 colorless resin.

11. 5 cc benzene+25 cc ether k1. 1 .-Do.

12 30 cc. ether 1.6 'Do.

13. do 12.8 yellow oil.

14. 25 cc. ether-+5 cc. chloroform 0.3 colorless residue..

15 15 cc ether-H5 cc. chloroform. 0.8 Do.

16. cc chloroform 7. 2 yellow resin.

17 25 cc. chloroform-F5 cc.` methanol.. 34. 6 whitish-brownish'.

18 30 cc. methanol 13. 1 Do.

Total 234. 2

chromatographic adsorption by ltering a solution thereof in I4cc. of'benzene and 6 cc. of petroleumthenzthrougha .column of 3 `g. of aluminumoxide rrockmann) through-within .about ytwo ho Thesolution passed ursv and the eluates within v15 130.20 :minutes each, `with the following results.:

Chromatographz'c #National-ion 'III No. of v i yWelght of .A pearauce of Fraction 'Solvent Rgue pResidue 14 cc. benzene-h6. cc.. petr. ether, 1.1 colorless residue.

(origin al-e solution) 14 cc. benzene-F6 ccnpetr. ether-. 0.8 Do.

l2 cc.'benzene+3 cc. petr. ether- 1. 2 Do.

14 ccJbenzene-Hfccype 2.8 colorless-resin.

15 cc. benzene. 3. 5 Do.

1l cc. benzene-H cc. et 8.5 pale yellow resin. 7 cc. benzene-H3 cc. ether 3. 4 Do.

5 cc. benzene-H0 cc. ether 2. 0 colorless resin.

30 cc. ether 4. 5 Do.

7.5 cc. ether+7.5 cc. chloroform 1. 6 Do.

15 cc. chloroform 4.0 yellow resin.

12 cc. chloroform-+3 cc. methanol.. 10. 0 whitish-yellow resin- 15 cc. methanol 4. 7 whitish residue.

Total 51. 1

Modibo Chromatographc fractionation IV '17, where` Y is' ahalogen group or an.l acyloxy group of 2-6 carbon atoms. The compounds having the grouping COCHzY at carbonatom 17 will be prepared from-'compound G as described above for the preparation of compound H by use of the acidcorresponding to the compound desired.

It' will bel understood, "with reference to the several "compounds illustrated and described above, that I do not intend that this invention or the claim appended hereto shall be limited to lany particular configuration about any carbon weigntof No. of Ap arance of Fraction Solvent Reilgue, ,v idue i 15 cc. benzene-H5 cc. petr.' 1.9 colorless grease.

ether (original solution). 2 l0 benzene-H0 cc. petr. 10.9 colorless sticky resin.

e er. 3 12 tic. beuzene+8 cc. petr. 5.4 colorless solid resin.

e er. 4 14 cc. benzene-Hi cc. petr. 6.0 Do.

er. 5 16 cc. benzene-H cc. petr. 5.7 Do.

ether. 6 18 cc. benzene+2 cc. petr. 4. 5 Do.

ether. 7 20 cc. benzene 3. 5 Do. 8.. do 2.4 Do. 9.. do 1.5 Do. 16 cc. benzene-H cc. ether. 2.8 Do. 12 cc. benzene-F8 cc. ether.. 1.8 Do. 8 cc. benzene-H2 cc. ether. 0.9 Do. 20 cc. ether 1. 6 Do. do 1.6 Do. v 15 cc. ether+5 cc. methanol ll. 5 yellowish solidresin. cc. methanol 7. 4 yellowish whltish glass.

Total 69.4

Fractions 2 9 combined (39.9 mg.) from the Chromatographic fractionation IV are subjected to distillation in a high vacuum. In effecting the distillation the oven is heated Within 15 minutes to 170 C., is raised within 10 minutes to 230 C., and then within minutes more to 250 C. The distillate, usually a light yellow, very viscous resin, comprises the compound H.

A solution of the product comprising compound H in methanol was found to reduce an alkaline Solution of silver diammine after short standing at room temperature and analyses as follows:

Calculated for 0221-130041: C, 73.69; H, 8.44. Found: C, 73.93; H, 8.30.

The compound is further characterized by its ultraviolet absorption spectrum:

max=238 my.; 6:14720 The compound I. an alcohol, will be prepared by hydrolysis of any of the compounds H, thus, by way of example, by hydrolysis of any of the compounds H where Y is an acyloxy group of 2-6 carbon atoms, preferably under mildly alkaline conditions using, for example, potassium bi carbonate. 60

By reference to the scheme illustrated in the drawing, it will be appreciated that from the broad standpoint this invention is not limited to the compound H, but, to the contrary, contemplates the various compounds having the structure of compound H except for the fact that they will have the grouping COCHzY at carbon atom f 4mea March 24, 1945, serial No. 584,624, mw

abandoned.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters `Patent is: A 13fmonomethyl-cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene having the following structure (IIOCHzOH REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,309,867 Reichstein Feb. 2, 1943 2,312,480 Reichstein Mar. 2, 1943 2,312,481 Reichstein Mar. 2, 1943 

